MLL begins 13th season tomorrow

BOSTON, Mass. (Friday, April 26, 2013)– Major League Lacrosse, the premier outdoor lacrosse league, begins its thirteenth season on Saturday, April 27. Three matchups are on hand this weekend, including the first ever visit to the Tampa Bay Area as the Rochester Rattlers host the 2012 Champion Chesapeake Bayhawks at historic Al Lang Stadium Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. This is the first of three games MLL will take on the road as it contemplates future expansion. The other two will be a Rochester Rattlers – Boston Cannons matchup from KSU Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga., on June 7, and a Rattlers – Hamilton Nationals match from FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla., on June 22.

“We’re obviously very excited to be starting year 13 of Major League Lacrosse,” said MLL Commissioner David Gross. “This is poised to be one of our biggest years that we’ve ever had, with all 60 games in the league being broadcast. With our national platform of broadcast games growing to 43% of total league games nationally, with the introduction of instant replay into the league, and with future expansion on the horizon, we think things are as bright for the future of the league as they’ve ever been.”

The first game of the weekend takes place in Charlotte as the Hounds host the 2012 finalist Denver Outlaws at American Legion Stadium at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast regionally and will also be available online onESPN3 and WatchESPN.

The Bayhawks and the Rattlers face off at 7:30 p.m. and that game will also be broadcast regionally and on ESPN3 and WatchESPN, in addition to being simulcast live on MLL Radio.

The weekend will be capped by a visit from the Boston Cannons to the newly rebranded New York Lizards at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, NY, on Sunday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m. The game will be the first to be broadcast live on YouTube and will also be simulcast on MLL radio.

Fans are encouraged to check local listings in their area to see when their games will be broadcast.

This year all 60 games will be broadcast on several platforms thanks to national partners like CBS Sports Network and ESPN, and regional partners like MSG Network, Altitude, Time Warner Cable and Comcast SportsNet. Additionally 15 games will be broadcast exclusively on the league’s YouTube channel.

The league has also made some innovations on the game-play front with the introduction of instant replay. Each team will have two opportunities to challenge a goal call per game and similar to NFL rules will be charged a timeout should the challenge be denied.

Returning this season will be the recently launched MLL Ultimate Fan Fantasy where two lucky winners will get to be an integral part in the 2013 MLL All Star Game presented by Moe’s Southwest Grill On July 13 in Charlotte. Fans are encouraged to sign up by visiting the All Star Game page on the League’s website.

MLL will also travel to the Philadelphia area this season as the culmination of the season, Championship Weekend presented by Smartlink, will take place at PPL Park in Philadelphia on August 24 and 25. More information on Champinship weekend can be found on the League’s website